During the past several years, I have fallen to the cynical side when it comes to the debate over the protection of student data. After all, who really wants Johnny’s 2nd grade math scores? But after watching the rise and fall of InBloom and the continuing battles over access and misuse of district information systems, I may have to break out the tinfoil hat. Just this month, California schools could soon be forced to fork over Social Security numbers, mental health records and home addresses to random non-profit organizations, according to this piece in the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Ohio Department of Ed (ODE) suspended the licenses of more than 30 administrators in Columbus School District for data rigging. And the ODE itself is getting blowback on its handling of student scores. I have a feeling this is all going to get messier before it gets better. —Kevin Hogan, Content Director
